Browning anticipation

[jhrosier]

I had been set to buy an Ubertii HiWall, until I read about Buckshot's misadventure with his Uberti-Cimmeron.
I decided to simply throw money at the problem and blew my whole bonus check buying a very nice looking Browning HiWall in 30-30 from a Gunbroker seller. 50% more than I would have paid for the Uberti, but I know that there will be no unpleasant surprises with a Browning. I have another in 45-70 that is a real gem.

I should have it in a few weeks. My FFL is headed out for vacation. Good for him, anticipation for me.

Anyhow, here's the seller's photo.

http://images39.fotki.com/v1232/photos/5/590147/2786028/Image3-vi.jpg

Hoping this one is a good cast boolit shooter.....

Jack

[Doc Highwall]

I have the same gun in 30-30. I just finished loading lyman mould # 311644 and AA-5744. Wating for a break of things to do so I can get to the range to try it out. I am also in the group buy for 311041 PB and 312190 FNGC to try in this gun and a Remington 40X in 308Win. I will let you know how it shoots as soon as possible. For testing I mounted a scope on it using Weaver bases #11, WEA48011 for the rear and #29, WEA48029 for the front. I hope this helps, Doc Highwall.

[James C. Snodgrass]

That is a dandy, I must have missed out on Buckshot's grief with the Uberti. I have been eye ballin' a browning BPCR for a while but you know I ain't willin to live in garage just yet. :mrgreen:

[jhrosier]

Doc, Thanks for the base numbers. I will probably mount an old Weaver scope for load developement. I have the Lyman 31141 and 311299 and intend to try both. I've have very good results in many guns with the 31141 so it will be first. I never thought to check what the twist is in the Browning barrel... Do you think that it will stabilize a 200 gr boolit?

James, The Brownings certainly cost a pail of money these days. I remember when the last of the Browning BPCR rifles were closed out for $600, not too many years ago(with the sights!) I musta been snoozing.:(

I'm not going to complain because most of my collection is worth two to three times what I paid. I'll never see it, because I won't be selling much, but my wife is going to have a heck of a yard sale when I check out.:)

Jack

[405]

That is a dandy, I must have missed out on Buckshot's grief with the Uberti. I have been eye ballin' a browning BPCR for a while but you know I ain't willin to live in garage just yet. :mrgreen:

It's two thread headings below this one and three pages worth

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=29852

[No_1]

That sure is pretty. I love my single shot Rugers, Contenders and Encores. I might have to look into getting some of those one day. (Maybe when the kids get out of college)

R.

[jhrosier]

no_1, I have always kind of liked the single shot rifles and got a couple of #3s when they were affordable and a #1 in .375H&H when they listed for $600.

The recent spike in component prices has given me a whole new appreciation for the medium bores, single shot rifles, and cast boolits. I was at the range a couple of weeks ago with my .308 and $12 per hundred cast handloads and shot with one of the local PD tactical response guys (sniper).
We were shooting nearly identical Remington bolt guns into about 1-1/2 moa and he was using $225 per hundred premium match ammo. What's not to like about that?

My 1869 vintage Rolling Block is a hoot to shoot and my 1885 HiWall will usually shoot better than I can hold.
I'm getting too old and lazy to pick hot brass out of the mud so the FAL, AR, and Garand sleep peacefully in the gun vault.
I've slowly evolved my expectations of performance to "bulleyes per hour" and would stack the single shots of the late 1800s up against most any modern gun on this basis.

This Browning is likely to be my only gun purchase for a year or so, but that gives me lots of time to consider the possibility of picking up a Peabody next time around.:-D

In the meantime, I've got brass to prep and boolits to cast.
These really are the good old days.:drinks:

Jack

[Doc Highwall]

Browning says that the traditional hunter in 30-30 Win. have a 1-12" twist that should stabilize a 200gr boolit.

[jhrosier]

Thanks Doc, I'm thinking about maybe a Loverin design PB @ about 1700fps.
I think that I will wait until I have it in my hands and check the throat dimensions though.

Jack

[Dusty Wheeler]

Howdy all!
I shot my new 1885 Winchester Traditional Hunter 38-55 for the first time today. Great experience! Oregon Trail 240 gr .380 dia ahead of 18 gr 5744 was easy on the shoulder and encouraging even though I used the semi buckhorn rear instead of the Marbles tang sight. Wednesday I plan to try a 300 gr pointy boolit at longer range to see how it does. One problem though--I let my wife shoot it today and she really enjoyed herself!
Dusty

[jhrosier]

Dusty, Good on both of you! We need more ladies and young folks on the range.
Maybe she will also be interested in casting boolits and handloading.[smilie=1:

I will be interested in hearing how you make out at longer ranges with the HiWall.

Jack

[Dale53]

The Browning 1885's are "near wonderful" rifles. I have a BPCR in 40/65 and a Creedmoor in 45/90. These rifles really only have one problem - the trigger is less than it should be. However, if you want a near perfect 2lb trigger, write me for details. I have solved that problem and wrote an article for the Single Shot Exchange many years ago that details the solution. Write me and I'll send you a copy of the article:

rmcgee6 @ cinci.rr.com (lose the spaces).

Dale53

[August]

I went to the Cody Museum last year just to see HIgh Wall #1. That rifle talks to ya' right through the glass!

To my sensibilities, there is no better looking rifle than a high wall. Your's is particularly nice!!!

Congratulations. You're gonna luv it!!!!!!!

[Dusty Wheeler]

jhrosier-
My wife actually asked to learn how! I'm a lucky guy!

Dale53-
I'm sending a PM...I'd like to know how to reduce the 3.5 pound trigger on my new Traditional Hunter...

Great thread!
Dusty

[txpete]

I am picking up a browning traditional hunter in 45 colt this weekend.anyone shooting one of these???.are ruger loads ok in these??.would be nice as I also have a ruger bisley in 45 colt.
pete

[Dale53]

The Browning 1885's are extremely strong. They will handle anything (within reason) that a Ruger revolver should be used with. They are routinely chambered for far hotter cartridges than (Ruger .45 Colts)...

Dale53

[Bigjohn]

I bought one of the BROWNING BPCR's shortly after they released them, now we can't get any more!

Settled for a .45/70, as it was easier then to get components; cases, molds dies etc. Since then .40/65 Win is much more available but BPCR's ain't.

I am more of a "SHARPS" man but they can be very difficult to acquire here down under unless you buy a PEDERSOLI.

When I bought the Browning; it came with a 1 in 18" twist which was what I was after for the heavier boolits and my original Pedersoli had a 1 in 22" twist. Trade that off to buy the Browning then bought a later model Pedersoli with 1 in 18.5" twist.

The Browning outshoots the Pedersoli with the same BP loads. Ninety metres/2 MOA for the Browning; 4 MOA for the Pedersoli.

In this day and at my age, I prefer to take my time with my shots, rather than how much brass I can get airborne at one time.

John.

[Boz330]

I bought one of the BROWNING BPCR's shortly after they released them, now we can't get any more!

Settled for a .45/70, as it was easier then to get components; cases, molds dies etc. Since then .40/65 Win is much more available but BPCR's ain't.

I am more of a "SHARPS" man but they can be very difficult to acquire here down under unless you buy a PEDERSOLI.

When I bought the Browning; it came with a 1 in 18" twist which was what I was after for the heavier boolits and my original Pedersoli had a 1 in 22" twist. Trade that off to buy the Browning then bought a later model Pedersoli with 1 in 18.5" twist.

The Browning outshoots the Pedersoli with the same BP loads. Ninety metres/2 MOA for the Browning; 4 MOA for the Pedersoli.

In this day and at my age, I prefer to take my time with my shots, rather than how much brass I can get airborne at one time.

John.

Ain't that the truth, I went from IPSC to BPCRS. I think Dale 53 made a similar transition.

Bob

[45 2.1]

I am picking up a browning traditional hunter in 45 colt this weekend.anyone shooting one of these???.are ruger loads ok in these??.would be nice as I also have a ruger bisley in 45 colt.
pete

Ruger loads are fine. you'll love the rifle. Enjoy.............

[Dale53]

I think Dale 53 made a similar transition.


Yep, guilty as charged. I no longer shoot BPCR in competition as I have suffered serious vision loss in my right (shooting) eye and no longer do well with iron sights. I am still an active shooter (man, am I ever) but just don't do much BPCR.

Dale53

[Doc Highwall]

The Browning 1885 lowwalls are very strong. Browning made them with a pistol grip, regular but plate and 24" barrel with no sights in calibers 22Hornet, 223Rem,243Win, and 260Rem. I have two, one in 223Rem and one in 260Rem. They did not make very many in 260Rem it was added at the end of the production run. An old flyer I have does not even show the 260Rem being made, I am glad I have one. The 260Rem is factory loaded to 62000psi so you should not have any problem with the 45colt.

[txpete]

Ruger loads are fine. you'll love the rifle. Enjoy.............

thanks you guys are great!!!.I just got back from kansas with it.
to all thanks for the info.
pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/1885009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/1885002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/1885003.jpg

[jhrosier]

txpete,
That is a beauty!

Jack

[doctorxring]

I have an 1885 Low Wall in 44 Magnum. I just love this rifle. Great handling,
accurate, and the 44 Magnum cartridge is quite potent in a 24 inch barrel.

dxr


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/doctorxring/TH-44Mag-target1.jpg

[txpete]

thats some fine shooting:drinks:.I hope mine does as well with cast.
pete

[jhrosier]

dxr,
That's pretty darn good shootin' with iron sights.
I'm a little surprised that the .44 mag can shoot so well. I tend to think of hand sized groups as good shooting when I look at pistol cartridges.

Jack

[doctorxring]

Jack

I've had excellent accuracy results with 44 Mag in my Super Blackhawk
and this low wall. Both have shot their best with either H110, AA#9, or
WC820.

I loaded the bullets for this low wall with the bullets just barely touching
the lands on chambering. No crimp, just the straight case.

Out to 150 yards I would be confident with this rifle up to and including elk on
a broad side shot. MV 1925 fps. which yields 1975 ft.lbs. at muzzle and
1002 at 150 yards and a big, apple-coring bullet on impact which performs
beyond these numbers.

dxr




dxr,
That's pretty darn good shootin' with iron sights.
I'm a little surprised that the .44 mag can shoot so well. I tend to think of hand sized groups as good shooting when I look at pistol cartridges.

Jack